Prince Albert of Monaco Accepts Sunday Times Damages Over Marriage Story

PA

Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife, Princess Charlene, have accepted an offer of damages over a Sunday Times story which suggested she was reluctant to marry him.

The couple were not at London's High Court today for the settlement of their libel action against Times Newspapers Ltd.

The 54-year-old monarch's solicitor, Mark Thomson, said the July 2011 article - which appeared two days after their wedding - accused the prince of having the princess's passport confiscated at Nice airport to prevent her from fleeing Monaco.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and wife Princess Charlene

It suggested she was reluctant to marry because she had discovered the existence of a third love child, but agreed to the marriage for the sake of appearances in return for payment with a view to obtaining an annulment after a seemly interval.